Nechako Valley Community Services (NVCSS) in partnership with the YMCA of Northern B.C. is thrilled to announce the opening of a new child care facility in Fort St. James.

The Child Care Centre will be located at 349 Stuart Dr. W., which is currently home to social services offered by NVCSS and other community partners.

Construction and renovations are nearing completion with plans to open in February, 2017.

Tyrell Arnold, executive director of the Nechako Valley Community Services Society in Vanderhoof says that this has been a project in the making for a number of years.

“There was a definite need determined in Fort St. James,” Arnold said.

“And we are pleased to be partnering with the YMCA who will bring significant expertise and experience in early childhood services to Fort St. James. Their mission, vision and philosophy for early childhood services fit well with the vision NVCSS has for bringing quality child care services to the community.”

According to Arnold, the project is being made a reality in part by a significant grant from the Child Care Capital Funding Program through the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

“This grant gave us the impetus to move forward,” Arnold said.

Donations have also been received from Thompson Creek Metals, the Fort St. James Early Childhood Development Committee and the District of Fort St. James.

The new Fort St. James YMCA Child Care Centre will provide up to eight infant/toddler day-care spaces and twenty 3-5 year-old day care spaces.

“We are so excited about this partnership,” Arnold said. “And to be able to provide this much needed service to the community of Fort St. James.”